Receptacle mechanism for a shunting coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving mechanism (10) for a shunting coupling (2), comprising a receiving body (11) with an end stop (12), a right-hand stop (13) and a left-hand stop (13), which together form a holding body, which has an inner region (B) which is delimited on three sides, and which has an open side which can be locked by a locking device (14), which is dimensioned such that a predefined shunting coupling (2) can be moved through the open side into the inner region (B), wherein the receiving mechanism (10) has at least one springy and / or elastically supported stop element (15a, 15b) on one of the stops (12, 13). The invention also relates to a rail vehicle with such a receiving mechanism and a method for locking a shunting coupling.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a receiving mechanism or buffer device for shunting couplings, particularly featuring smaller lateral clearance and spring-loaded stops. The invention also includes a rail vehicle with such a receiving mechanism and a method for locking the shunting coupling.

[0002] For the use of shunting couplings, such as the RK 900 shunting coupling, on rail vehicles, a receiving mechanism is typically present and usually specified on the rail vehicle. This receiving mechanism allows the shunting coupling to be fixed or locked in its parking position. For this purpose, the shunting coupling typically pivots upwards from its shunting position (horizontal orientation) to its parking position (vertical orientation).

[0003] The pivoting of the shunting coupling to the parking position is mostly accomplished by a pressure-loaded hydraulic or pneumatic lifting cylinder. The coupling thus pivots to a near-vertical position. At an angle of approximately 80° to the horizontal plane, the mechanical locking device of the coupling locks, but the shunting coupling should continue to pivot until it reaches a 90° parking position; otherwise, the facing couplings of two interconnected shunting locomotives would collide during dual-locomotive traction.

[0004] The shunting coupler is additionally secured, or rather, protected, in the vertical position by a receiving mechanism. This is achieved by installing pins, chains, or similar locking elements. If necessary, the coupler can be manually pushed back. Only after this safety measure is in place is re-venting of the lifting cylinder permitted.

[0005] As the shunting coupler descends from its parking position to its shunting position, the pressure-loaded lifting cylinder is first reused, and the safety mechanism of the coupling is disengaged. Then, the pressure in the lifting cylinder is reduced while simultaneously the mechanical unlocking of the coupler is operated, allowing it to pivot downwards by gravity.

[0006] To date, the receiving mechanism forms a fixed stop for the shunting coupler in its parking position and has a large lateral clearance. The latter adversely results in the shunting coupler undergoing violent and uncontrolled movement in its parking position when the rail vehicle, connected by the helical connector, travels through curves. This causes significant impact on the receiving mechanism, leading to deformation and damage to either the receiving mechanism or the shunting coupler.

[0007] The combination of a fixed stop and large lateral clearance also prevents the shunting coupler from reliably pivoting from its vertical parking position to the shunting position (the coupler-ready position). Despite the manipulation for lowering, the coupler remains in the parking position and must be manually pushed from there. In vehicles with a crossbridge, the operator would walk up and touch the coupler to achieve lowering. In vehicles without a crossbridge, this is not feasible, so only manual pushing of the coupler from below (e.g., from Berne Space: Berner Raum) is possible. This poses a significant risk to the operator.

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an alternative, more comfortable receiving mechanism and a method for locking the shunting coupling by such receiving mechanism, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages and, in particular, ensuring the reliable holding and lowering of the shunting coupling.

[0009] The aforementioned technical problem is solved, on the one hand, by the receiving mechanism according to claim 1, the rail vehicle according to claim 10, and the method according to claim 11.

[0010] The receiving mechanism for a shunting coupling according to the invention includes a receiving body having an end stop, a right stop, and a left stop, the end stop, the right stop, and the left stop together forming a retaining body having an internal region defined by boundaries on three sides (by the stops), and the retaining body having an open side, but the open side can be locked by a locking device, the open side being sized such that a predefined shunting coupling can be moved into the internal region through the open side.

[0011] To date, such a receiving mechanism is known from existing technology (e.g., see...). Figure 1 The receiving mechanism has three closed sides and one open side (for introducing the shunting coupling), and preferably has a U-shaped profile with particularly sharp angles.

[0012] If the receiving mechanism is arranged on the shunting locomotive according to regulations, the end stops are located on the locomotive side portion of the inner area. If the shunting coupler is accommodated by the receiving mechanism, the locking device on the open side is initially open and then closed by the locking device to prevent the shunting coupler from falling from its parking position. Of course, this open side must be large enough to allow the shunting coupler to pass through so that it can be substantially accommodated by the receiving mechanism. Although the shunting coupler is not part of the receiving mechanism, the known dimensions of the shunting coupler are used for the sizing design of the receiving mechanism. Therefore, the statement "a predefined shunting coupler can be moved to the inner area through the open side" only means that the open side has a predefined dimension, which corresponds to the known thickness or known perimeter of the predefined shunting coupler.

[0013] The dimensions of the open side can also be specified as at least 100mm, and especially at least 150mm. Since common shunting couplings rarely have a diameter greater than 400mm in the relevant location, the maximum dimension used for size design is preferably less than 500mm, and especially less than 300mm.

[0014] According to the invention, the receiving mechanism has at least one resilient and / or resiliently supported stop element on one of the stops (i.e., an end stop and / or at least one side stop). Through these stop elements, the shunting coupling introduced into the internal space has a significantly reduced clearance compared to previous receiving mechanisms. The movement of the shunting coupling within the receiving mechanism can thus be minimized, as described in more detail below. The expression "resilient and / or resiliently supported stop element" means that the stop element itself can be resilient, or the stop element can be inelastic but resiliently supported, or the stop element can be resilient and additionally resiliently supported.

[0015] The rail vehicle according to the invention, especially the shunting locomotive, includes a receiving mechanism according to the invention (instead of a conventional receiving mechanism).

[0016] In the method according to the invention for locking a shunting coupling in a receiving mechanism according to the invention, the receiving mechanism corresponds to a preferred embodiment in which the end stop is equipped with a resiliently supported stop element designed to compress the shunting coupling beyond the locking device (only when the locking device is open) through the open side of the receiving mechanism. The method includes the following steps:

[0017] -The shunting coupling is tilted from the shunting position to the parking position using a lifting cylinder.

[0018] - The shunting coupling is housed within the internal area of ​​the receiving mechanism.

[0019] -The stop element, pressed against the end stop by the shunting coupling, resists the elastic force of its elastic support.

[0020] - Close the locking device on the open side, so that the shunting coupler is pressed against the locking device by the elastic force of the stop element of the elastic support.

[0021] The stop element on the end stop provides mechanical stress, which presses the shunting coupler against the locking device in the receiving mechanism. If the locking device is now reopened, the stop element of the elastic support pushes the shunting coupler slightly beyond the locking device through the open side. This eliminates the need to manually move the shunting coupler out of its parking position, which is highly beneficial for operational safety.

[0022] It should be noted that shunting couplings (as previously stated, which are not part of this invention) are well known in the prior art. They have typical components, particularly a lifting cylinder. Due to the lack of leverage, the lifting cylinder typically cannot move the shunting coupling from its parking position (90° relative to the shunting position), but rather requires the shunting coupling to be slightly tilted relative to the vertical plane (e.g., 85°). To move it to this position, it has so far been moved manually in the prior art, as described above. The present invention allows the shunting coupling to move "automatically" if it has been moved to the parking position according to the method of the invention, by means of a stop element elastically or spring-supported on the end stop. It should also be noted that, according to the prior art, the lifting cylinder must always be pressure-loaded when lowering the shunting coupling. The shunting coupling is not tilted from the parking position to the shunting position, but only from the (vertical) parking position to a near-vertical position (by means of a spring-supported stop according to the method of the invention, rather than manually), so that the lifting cylinder has effective leverage to move the shunting coupling.

[0023] Furthermore, particularly advantageous designs and improvements of the invention are derived from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein a claim of one claim class can be similarly improved with a claim and description portion relative to another claim class, and in particular individual features of different embodiments or variations can be combined to form new embodiments or variations.

[0024] In a preferred receiving mechanism, at least one stopping element comprises an elastic cushioning element. The cushioning element has an elastic modulus greater than 0.05 GPa and less than 10 GPa. Preferably, the elastic modulus of the cushioning element is less than 6 GPa and / or greater than 0.1 GPa.

[0025] Preferred materials for making cushioning elements are elastomers, such as rubber or silicone (alone or in combination), but springs made of steel or plastic, such as coil springs or leaf springs, can also be used.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, at least one stop element, preferably at least an end stop, is elastically supported by a spring or elastic buffer element (as described above). This support is preferably designed such that the shunting coupler located in the inner region of the receiving mechanism can be extruded from the inner region through the open side (at least partially). If the receiving mechanism is mounted on a rail vehicle, the associated stop element is preferably designed and the receiving mechanism is mounted such that the shunting coupler can be extruded from its parking position through the elastically supported stop element at an angle of inclination less than 87°, particularly less than 85°, or even less than 80° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, the movement of the stop element of the elastic support in the direction of the spring force of the spring or the elastic buffer element is guided by a guide element. This has the advantage of preventing the stop element from tilting and thus preventing obstruction of movement.

[0028] Preferably, at least one guiding element is arranged next to the spring or elastic buffer element. Alternatively or additionally, at least one guiding element is surrounded by a spring. Thus, for example, a spring-loaded pin can ensure guidance and simultaneously provide elastic support for the stop element. However, reliable guidance can also be achieved by a guiding element that exists independently of the elastic support.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, the right-side stop and the left-side stop each have resilient stop elements. These stop elements are preferably opposed on a straight line, which has the advantage that no oblique torque acts on the shunting coupler through the stop elements. The stop elements are particularly preferably arranged such that they shape-fit the shunting coupler to the right and left. The shunting coupler should therefore not have right- or left-hand clearances, but be fixedly held between the stop elements. However, it is preferable that it can slide backward and forward (toward or away from the end stops), because the aforementioned resiliently supported stop elements can thus (at least partially) push the coupler out of the receiving mechanism.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving mechanism includes a locking device shaped to close the open side of the receiving body, wherein the locking device preferably includes a pin and / or a chain. A combination of pin and chain is preferred here because it ensures a particularly secure lock. The locking device is particularly preferably equipped with (especially resilient) elements to protect the locking device and other components of the shunting coupling. In particular, the pin is surrounded by a resilient protective layer or at least one protective layer made of plastic. This can protect the pin from movement of the shunting coupling during rail vehicle operation, and of course, it can also protect the shunting coupling itself.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, the portion of the stop element away from the corresponding stop has a spherical shape, such as a hemisphere. Preferably, the stop element has a hemispherical shape fitted onto a cylindrical base. However, the stop element can also simply be in the form of a resilient plate.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, at least one stop element is threadedly connected to the receiving mechanism. Preferably, a bolt is centrally located in the stop element. However, alternatively, multiple bolts may be arranged in a mirror-symmetric manner about the central plane of the stop element or rotationally symmetric about the center point of the stop element.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the receiving mechanism, a resiliently supported stop element is arranged on an end stop, its resilient movement preferably guided by a guide element. The stop element preferably also has a (resilient) cushioning element on its inward-facing side. The stop element is resiliently supported on the end stop such that when the locking device of the receiving mechanism is opened, it can expel the predetermined shunting coupler from the parking position. The rear stop (end stop) for the shunting coupler is therefore designed to be resiliently movable as described above. The shunting coupler pivots to the parking position relative to this resiliently loaded stop. During descent, the resilient force of the stop element causes the shunting coupler to be reliably expelled from the parking position.

[0034] Compared to conventional receiving mechanisms with large lateral clearances and fixed stops, the advantage of this invention is that, with the receiving mechanism according to the invention, the lateral movement of the shunting coupling in the parking position can be minimized. This greatly reduces the mechanical load on the receiving mechanism itself. Furthermore, it allows the shunting coupling to be safely pivoted downwards from the parking position to the ready-to-connect position (shunting position).

[0035] The invention will now be described in detail again with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Here, the same components are given the same reference numerals in different drawings. Figure 1 Generally not proportional. Among them:

[0036] Figure 1 The image shows a rail vehicle with a shunting coupling in a receiving mechanism according to existing technology.

[0037] Figure 2 The diagram shows the contracting organization according to existing technology.

[0038] Figure 3 An embodiment of a receiving mechanism according to the invention is shown.

[0039] Figure 4 Shown in accordance with Figure 3 The preferred receiving mechanism for the shunting coupling,

[0040] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention is shown.

[0041] Figure 1The diagram shows the front section of rail vehicle 1, i.e., a shunting locomotive, equipped with a shunting coupling 2 located in the receiving mechanism 3 according to the prior art. The shunting coupling 2 is in the parking position, i.e., tilted upwards or tilted 90° compared to the shunting position. In the parking position, two shunting locomotives can also be coupled together without their couplings 2 colliding during operation. As shown, the shunting coupling 2 is slightly tilted to one side of the locomotive (to the right in the diagram). As also shown, there is a gap between the shunting coupling 2 and the other side of the receiving mechanism 3, allowing it to tilt to the other side as well. This occurs when the rail vehicle, along with the shunting coupling 2 in the parking position, passes through a curve.

[0042] Figure 2 The receiving mechanism 3 according to the prior art is shown. The receiving mechanism 10 here has a steel receiving body 11, which has an end stop 12 on one side of the locomotive (to the left rear) and side stops 13 on both sides, so as to form an angular U-shaped profile with an internal region B. To allow the shunting coupling 2 to be in the parking position (see...) Figure 1 The shunting coupling 2 will not flip out. Locking devices 14 in the form of pins and chains are arranged between the two side stops 13 at intervals from the end stops 12 (for safety or security). To better guide the shunting coupling 2 into the internal area B, inclined guide portions 19 are formed at the ends of the side stops 13, forming funnels. A portion of the receiving body 11 is visible on the left side, designed as a fixing device 18 for mounting the receiving mechanism 3 onto the rail vehicle 1.

[0043] Figure 3 An embodiment of the receiving mechanism 10 according to the present invention is shown. The receiving mechanism 10 looks similar to the receiving mechanism 3 according to the prior art, and also has Figure 2 The components shown, but including additional components, securely hold the shunting coupling in the parking position and minimize its clearance.

[0044] The receiving mechanism according to the invention includes a stop element 15b at the end stop 12, wherein the stop element 15b is provided with a spring 16 and a plate (e.g., made of plastic, such as rubber) as a buffer element 5, and additional stop elements 15a are included at the two side stops 13, wherein the stop elements 15a as buffer elements 5 may be made of rubber, for example. The stop elements 15a on the side stops 13 are used to allow the shunting coupling 2 to be in the inner region B, i.e., in the parking position (see also...) Figure 4 It should not tilt to the left or right, but should always remain upright.

[0045] The stop element 15b on the end stop 12 not only maintains the form fit of the shunting coupling, but also has another very advantageous function. This can be seen from... Figure 4This is derived from...

[0046] Figure 4 Showing the parking position in accordance with Figure 3 The preferred receiving mechanism 10 includes the shunting coupling 2. It can be seen that the stop element 15b on the end stop 12 has now moved rearward because it is pressed rearward by the shunting coupling (towards the fixing device 18). The shunting coupling 2 thus not only presses against the locking device 14 to ensure good retention, but also, after the locking device 14 is opened, the shunting coupling 2 is also pressed against the spring 16 (see...) Figure 3 Squeeze it forward so that it no longer needs to be manually moved out of its parking position.

[0047] Two guide elements 17 ensure smooth movement of the stop element 15b on the end stop 12, wherein the guide spring 16 guides on the bolt, which can also be regarded as the guide element 17.

[0048] The method according to the invention has been applied to achieve this position.

[0049] Figure 5 Schematic illustration as follows Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates the method for locking the shunting coupling 2 in the receiving mechanism 10 according to the present invention.

[0050] The shunting coupling 2 is pressed from shunting position A to parking position B via the lifting cylinder 4, wherein the shunting coupling is moved into the internal area of ​​the receiving mechanism 10 (curved arrow). Just before reaching the parking position (indicated by dashed line), the shunting coupling encounters the stop element 15b on the end stop 12 (see also...). Figure 3 And the shunting coupling 2 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic support of the stop element and pushes it backward (straight arrow). Then the locking device 14 on the open side closes (see...). Figure 3 The locking device 14 is closed, causing the shunting coupling 2 to be pressed against the locking device 14 by the elastic force of the elastic support stop element 15b.

[0051] Finally, it should be reiterated that the embodiments and methods described in detail above are merely examples, and those skilled in the art can make modifications in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" does not preclude the existence of multiple related features. Similarly, the term "unit," for example, does not preclude the component from being composed of multiple interacting sub-components that are spatially distributed if necessary.

Claims

1. A receiving mechanism (10) for a shunting coupling (2), characterized in that, The receiving mechanism includes a receiving body (11) having an end stop (12), a right stop (13) and a left stop (13), the end stop, the right stop and the left stop together forming a retainer, the retainer having an internal region (B) defined on three sides, and the retainer having an open side, but the open side can be locked by a locking device (14), the open side being sized so that a predefined shunting coupling (2) can be moved into the internal region (B) through the open side, wherein the receiving mechanism (10) has at least one resilient and / or resiliently supported stop element (15a, 15b) on one of the stops (12, 13).

2. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one stop element (15a, 15b) includes an elastic buffer element (5) having an elastic modulus greater than 0.05 GPa and less than 10 GPa.

3. The receiving mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer element has an elastic modulus of less than 6 GPa and / or greater than 0.5 GPa.

4. The receiving mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cushioning element is made of rubber or silicone.

5. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one stop element (15a, 15b) is elastically supported by a spring (16) or an elastic buffer element (5).

6. The receiving mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least the end stop (12) is elastically supported by a spring (16) or an elastic buffer element (5).

7. The receiving mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The movement of the stop elements (15a, 15b) of the elastic support in the direction of the elastic force of the spring (16) or the elastic buffer element (5) is guided by the guide element (17).

8. The receiving mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, At least one guide element (17) is arranged next to the spring (16) or the elastic buffer element (5) and / or at least one guide element (17) is surrounded by the spring (16).

9. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The right stop (13) and the left stop (13) each have elastic stop elements (15a, 15b), wherein the stop elements (15a, 15b) are opposite each other on a line.

10. The receiving mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stop elements (15a, 15b) are arranged such that they hold the shunting coupling (2) in a shape-fitting manner to the right and left.

11. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving mechanism includes a locking device (14) configured to close the open side of the receiving body (11).

12. The receiving mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that, The locking device (14) includes a pin and / or a chain.

13. The receiving mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that, The locking device (14) has elements for protecting other elements of the locking device (14).

14. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The portion of the stop element (15a, 15b) away from the corresponding stop (12, 13) has a spherical shape.

15. The receiving mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that, The stop elements (15a, 15b) have a hemispherical shape that is fitted onto a cylindrical base.

16. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one stop element (15a, 15b) is threadedly connected to the receiving mechanism (10).

17. The receiving mechanism according to claim 16, characterized in that, A bolt is centrally located in the stop element (15a, 15b) or multiple bolts are arranged symmetrically about the center point of the stop element (15a, 15b).

18. The receiving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support stop elements (15a, 15b) are arranged on the end stop (12), and the elastic movement of the end stop is guided by the guide element (16).

19. The receiving mechanism according to claim 18, characterized in that, The stop elements (15a, 15b) have an additional buffer element (5) on the side facing the inner region (B). Among them, the stop elements (15a, 15b) are elastically supported on the end stop (12) so that when the locking device (14) of the receiving mechanism (10) is opened, the stop elements can squeeze the predetermined shunting connector (2) out of the parking position.

20. A rail vehicle comprising a receiving mechanism (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The rail vehicle according to claim 20, characterized in that, The rail vehicle in question is a shunting locomotive.

22. A method for locking a shunting coupling (2) in a receiving mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the receiving mechanism having a stop element (15b) resiliently supported on an end stop (12), the method comprising the steps of: -The shunting connector (2) is tilted from the shunting position to the parking position by the lifting cylinder (4). - The shunting coupling (2) is housed within the internal area of ​​the receiving mechanism (10). -The stop element (15b) pressed against the end stop (12) by the shunting coupling (2) resists the elastic force of its elastic support. - Close the locking device (14) on the open side, so that the shunting coupling (2) is pressed against the locking device (14) by the elastic force of the stop element (15b) of the elastic support.

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